Job Description

Description

Head of Pastoral (Designated Safeguarding Lead) The British School of Geneva (BSG)



Full-time, Permanent | Senior Leadership Role | Commencing January 2026



The British School of Geneva (BSG) seeks an outstanding Head of Pastoral to join its Senior



Leadership Team. The successful candidate will also serve as the Designated Safeguarding



Lead (DSL), providing strategic direction for all aspects of pastoral care, wellbeing, safeguarding



and personal development across the school.



BSG provides premium education programmes for local and international students aged 3-18.



Our vision is to be the school of choice in Geneva, where students achieve academic



excellence and develop the life competencies required to thrive in an evolving world.



The Head of Pastoral will lead the school's pastoral and safeguarding strategy, overseeing the



House and Tutor Systems, the Life Competencies Curriculum, and the Behaviour and Conduct



Policy, ensuring that every student is known, supported and inspired to reach their potential.



We are seeking a leader who:

Has substantial experience in pastoral and safeguarding leadership in a British



independent school or international setting



Demonstrates excellent judgement, empathy and professionalism



Can inspire staff, engage students and build trusted relationships with families



Embodies our core values:



Integrity - acting with honesty, fairness and moral courage



Respect - valuing self and others, celebrating diversity



Ambition - setting high standards and striving for excellence



Resilience - showing determination and self-discipline through challenge



Service - contributing positively through compassion and responsibility



Curiosity - approaching learning with enthusiasm and creativity



Why Join BSG?



A purposeful, caring and internationally minded community



Extensive professional growth opportunities within the International Schools Partnership



(ISP)



The opportunity to shape and strengthen the school's pastoral and safeguarding culture



A key leadership position within the Senior Leadership Team



Strong alignment with the Mission, Vision and Values of The British School of Geneva







Purpose of Role



The Head of Pastoral provides whole-school leadership for pastoral care, wellbeing,



safeguarding and personal development.



As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the postholder ensures that the highest



standards of child protection, compliance and professional practice are upheld



throughout the school.



The role also leads the House and Tutor Systems, the Life Competencies Curriculum,



and the Behaviour and Conduct Policy, ensuring that every student experiences the



school's Mission, Vision and Values in daily life.



ISP Principles



Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of



what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both



essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying



potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all



concerns appropriately.



Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace



similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.



Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and



will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody



the shared ideas of our community.



Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs



of the children, students and our schools.



Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with



personal and professional development and school improvement.



Alignment with Mission, Vision and Values



Mission



The British School of Geneva provides premium education programmes for local



and international students, aged 3-18. Students are immersed into high-quality



teaching and learning, developing their knowledge, skills and experience as they



grow into well-rounded, harmonious individuals.



Vision



The school of choice in Geneva, where students achieve academic excellence and



develop the necessary life competencies through personalised learning and



outstanding international opportunities, in a multilingual environment. As a result,



our graduates secure their chosen future pathway; prepared for the journey ahead



and the challenges of the evolving world.



Values



1. Integrity - We act with honesty, fairness and moral courage in all that we do.



2. Respect - We value ourselves and others, celebrating diversity and



individuality.



3. Ambition - We set high standards, striving for excellence in every endeavour.



4. Resilience - We persevere in the face of challenge, showing determination



and self-discipline.



5. Service - We contribute positively to our community through compassion,



leadership and responsibility.



6. Curiosity - We approach learning with enthusiasm, creativity and an open



mind.



Key Responsibilities



Strategic Leadership















Lead the development and implementation of the school's pastoral and



wellbeing strategy.



Serve as a senior leader contributing to the strategic direction and



accreditation readiness of the school.



Foster a culture in which all students feel safe, respected and motivated to



achieve their best.



Analyse pastoral and wellbeing data (attendance, behaviour, safeguarding) to



drive continuous improvement.






Collaborate with academic and operational leaders to ensure coherence



between academic progress and personal development.



Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)






Act as the school's DSL in accordance with Swiss legislation, ISP standards and



BSG policy.






Lead the identification, management and reporting of all safeguarding



concerns via MyConcern and SAI360.












Liaise with external agencies, local authorities and families as appropriate.



Ensure all staff receive initial and annual safeguarding training.



Chair the Safeguarding and Child Protection Committee and report regularly to



the Executive Principal.



House and Tutor Systems















Lead and develop the House System as a vehicle for belonging, pride and



student leadership.



Oversee the Tutor System, ensuring consistent, high-quality daily care for



every student.



Work with admissions and academic staff to assess and identify student needs



both at entry and throughout enrolment.



Coordinate inter-house activities and assemblies that promote teamwork,



service and competition.



Train and mentor tutors and House Leaders to deliver effective pastoral and



Life Competencies sessions.



Behaviour, Conduct and Attendance






Lead and implement the Behaviour and Conduct Policy, ensuring restorative



and consistent practice.









Monitor attendance and punctuality, taking action where concerns arise.



Promote positive behaviour and celebrate achievement through whole-school



recognition systems.






Support staff in managing classroom behaviour and fostering a respectful



learning climate.



Life Competencies Curriculum






Design and oversee the Life Competencies Curriculum, focusing on resilience,



empathy, leadership, digital citizenship and global awareness.






Ensure the curriculum is integrated across tutor time, assemblies and



enrichment.









Provide staff training and guidance to ensure confident, consistent delivery.



Evaluate and update the programme annually to maintain relevance and



impact.



Community and Partnerships












Build strong relationships with parents and carers on matters of wellbeing,



behaviour and safeguarding.



Collaborate with external professionals to coordinate comprehensive support



for students.



Represent the school in relevant local and international networks, including



the International Schools Partnership (ISP) Swiss Group of International



Schools (SGIS).






Promote the school's pastoral ethos through events, publications and



outreach.



Person Specification



Essential





















Degree and recognised teaching qualification



Proven leadership in pastoral or safeguarding contexts



Deep understanding of safeguarding frameworks and wellbeing practice



Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills



Experience leading teams, tutors or houses



Strong alignment with the Mission, Vision and Values of The British School of



Geneva



Desirable





















Further qualification in pastoral leadership, counselling or child protection



Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead



Experience in an international or multilingual context



Familiarity with reporting systems such as MyConcern and SAI360



Experience designing or leading Life Competencies or PSHE programmes



Experience in a British independent or international school setting



Skills & Attributes






Strong leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple



priorities.






Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and



collaboration with all stakeholders.












Deep understanding of inclusion, SEN, and personalised learning strategies.



Data-driven approach to monitoring student progress and evaluating impact.



Commitment to safeguarding, child protection, and promoting the wellbeing



of all students.



ISP Leadership Competencies



You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in



all that you do.



1. Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative



and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with



colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.



2. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and



passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback, supporting



others in their continual learning, development and growth.



3. Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning



initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others



through the process of creation through completion.



4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to



exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.



5. Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.



6. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and



expectations of our students and their families.



7. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then



plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.



8. Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values,



behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and



adults to learn and work effectively.



ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles



ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young



people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.



All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online



due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or



equivalent covering the previous 10 years' employment history.



ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging



ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring,



developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender,



ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status,



neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics.



Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to



the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.